An award of Dh3 million awaits anyone who can offer a practical solution to any of the UAE’s biggest health problems.

Almost 1,200 people have entered the international health care competition but only about a dozen will go home with prizes at a conference in Abu Dhabi next week.

The Technology and Innovation Pioneers Healthcare Award was launched by the Ministry of Economy, Department of Economic Development in Abu Dhabi and the Department of Health in a search for new ideas and technologies to tackle the country’s health concerns.

The 1,182 applications came from across the globe for different categories including patent protection, proof of concept, and Tech start-ups for the prevention and management of cardiovascular diseases, smoking, and chronic conditions like asthma.

The three categories represent the fundamental pillars of the healthcare sector, said Khalfan Al Suwaidi, director of International Centre of Patent Registration at the Ministry of Economy.

He said the competition is “building a unique global platform to develop technology and innovation that brings adaptable creativity to the sector.”

Salem BinShabib, Advisor Innovation Incubation and Small and Medium Projects at DED, said the competition will also “create real opportunities for practical implementation in the categories of patent protection, proof of concept and Tech start-ups within the specific medical disciplines."

Dr Asma Al Mannaei, Director of Health care Quality Division at DOH, said it was importance to support research and innovation so as to improve the quality of health care services in the UAE

"This initiative will profoundly complement the efforts of the Department of Health, Abu Dhabi. The awards recognise and support innovators in the health sector who contribute to public health challenges while the conference will be held to exchange international expertise and discuss the latest research in enabling technology and innovation locally, regionally and globally.”